the house is standing by to consider any agreement regarding that looming fiscal cliff. members have been promised 48 hours to review any deal before it goes to the floor for debate. let's take you live to the floor of the house. we see them just about to walk in the door. a quick reminder, we are expecting remarks from steny hoyer in about 20 minutes. we plan to bring you those lives. [captioning made possible by the national captioning institute, inc., in cooperation with the united states house of representatives. any use of the closed-captioned coverage of the house proceedings for political or commercial purposes is expressly prohibited by the u.s. house of representatives.] the speaker pro tempore: the house will be in order. the chair lays before the house a communication from the speaker. the clerk: the speaker's room, washington, d.c.,, december 27, 2012, i appoint steven latourette to act as speaker pro tempore on this day, signed john amplete boehner. speaker of the house of representatives. the speaker pro tempore: the prayer will be offered by our chaplain,